Are you struggling to come up with dinner ideas and tired of ordering takeout every night? You’re not alone. Finding inspiration for dinner can be challenging, especially when you’re limited to the ingredients you have on hand. But fear not, we’ve got you covered with over 20 easy ideas for dinners with ingredients you already have in your pantry and fridge.

Easy Ideas for Dinners with Ingredients: Pasta Dishes

Pasta is a staple in many households, and it’s easy to see why. It’s quick, easy to make, and can be combined with just about anything. Here are a few easy ideas for dinners with ingredients you probably already have on hand:

Creamy Garlic Pasta

• Pasta (any kind will work)
• Butter
• Garlic
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute.
4. Add heavy cream and stir until it starts to thicken.
5. Add grated parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted and combined.
6. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce.

Tomato Basil Pasta

• Pasta (any kind will work)
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
2. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute.
4. Add canned diced tomatoes and stir until heated through.
5. Add chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper.
6. Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce.

Easy Ideas for Dinners with Ingredients: One-Pot Meals

One-pot meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights. Not only are they easy to make, but they also require minimal cleanup. Here are a few easy ideas for dinners with ingredients you probably already have on hand:

One-Pot Chicken and Rice

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Rice
• Chicken broth
• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a large pot, heat some oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken breasts and brown on both sides.
4. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
5. In the same pot, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until fragrant.
6. Add the rice and stir to coat in the onion and garlic mixture.
7. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
9. Add the chicken breasts back to the pot and let them heat through.

One-Pot Chili

• Ground beef or turkey
• Onion
• Garlic
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Kidney beans
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened.
3. Add canned diced tomatoes, drained kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

Easy Ideas for Dinners with Ingredients: Stir-Fry Dishes

Stir-fry dishes are a great way to use up any leftover veggies and protein you have in your fridge. Here are a few easy ideas for dinners with ingredients you probably already have on hand:

Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Assorted veggies (such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, etc.)
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a large pan or wok, heat some oil over high heat.
3. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
5. In the same pan, add chopped veggies and stir-fry until they’re tender-crisp.
6. Add minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for another minute.
7. Mix together soy sauce and cornstarch and add it to the pan.
8. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir until everything is coated in the sauce.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Flank steak
• Broccoli
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Slice the flank steak against the grain into thin strips.
2. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and cornstarch.
3. Add the sliced steak to the bowl and toss to coat.
4. In a large pan or wok, heat some oil over high heat.
5. Add the steak and stir-fry until browned on all sides.
6. Remove the steak and set it aside.
7. In the same pan, add chopped broccoli and stir-fry until it’s tender-crisp.
8. Add the steak back to the pan and stir in the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are some easy ideas for dinners with ingredients I already have? There are plenty of easy dinner ideas you can make with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Pasta dishes, one-pot meals, and stir-fry dishes are all great options. Check out our article for more ideas!
2. Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes? Absolutely! Use what you have on hand and get creative with substitutions. Don’t have chicken broth for the one-pot chicken and rice? Use vegetable broth or water instead. Don’t have flank steak for the beef and broccoli stir-fry? Use another cut of beef or even chicken.
3. How can I make these recipes healthier? There are plenty of ways to make these recipes healthier. Use whole wheat pasta instead of white, choose lean protein options, and load up on veggies. You can also reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the recipes to make them even healthier.
4. Can I make these recipes ahead of time? Yes! Many of these recipes can be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat. The one-pot chicken and rice and the chili are both great options for meal prepping.
5. How can I make these recipes vegetarian or vegan? For the pasta dishes, you can simply omit the meat and add more veggies or a vegetarian protein substitute. For the one-pot meals, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add more veggies. For the stir-fry dishes, use tofu or tempeh instead of meat.
6. Are these recipes kid-friendly? Yes! These recipes are all family-friendly and can be adjusted to suit your kids’ tastes. For picky eaters, you can leave out certain ingredients or offer a variety of toppings or sauces to choose from.

Conclusion

Cooking dinner doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially when you have easy ideas for dinners with ingredients you probably already have on hand. With a little creativity and some basic cooking skills, you can whip up delicious and healthy meals in no time. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, one-pot meals, or stir-fry dishes, these recipes are sure to please. So next time you’re staring at your fridge wondering what to make for dinner, remember these easy ideas and get cooking!